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Delaware State of the State: Governor Admits Budget Deficit “A Simple Math Problem” But Proposes More Spending
To his great credit, Governor John Carney admitted in his 2018 State of the State Address, that the state’s substantial future structural budget deficits are “a simple math problem.
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Colorado State of the State: Hickenlooper’s Pursuit of Taxes
The governor is right that “by almost any measure, we’ve become one of the best places for business in America.” But expanding crony capitalism and increasing the tax burden make maintaining this coveted status more difficult. Following five consecutive years in the top 10 for economic outlook in Rich States, Poor States, Colorado dropped to 16th in 2013 and has failed to fully recover. A sharpened focus on regulatory reform and pension reform are required to guarantee continued success in the Centennial State.
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Kansas State of the State: Gov. Brownback Resists Tax Hikes, Calls for Constitutional Amendment on Ed Financing
The governor’s rejection of a tax increase is welcomed news for taxpayers. Just last year, legislators overrode his veto in order to enact an enormous tax increase of $1.2 billion over the next two years alone. This tax hike on individuals and businesses wiped out much of the tax reductions from the 2012 reforms. Avoiding a new tax increase, pushing for a voter-approved constitutional amendment on school financing, and demanding educational reforms will help avoid compounding the damage from last year’s tax hikes.
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State Legislator Letter: State and local officials across the country are resisting calls to allow aggressive taxation across state borders
As state legislators, we oppose the attempts to overturn constitutional precedent safeguarding Congress’s essential authority to protect interstate commerce from discriminatory regulation and taxation. As a result, commerce…
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Maine State of the State: Governor Embraces Bold Tax Reforms for Final Year
Maine Governor Paul LePage delivered his final state of the state address. He did not attempt to shape his legacy by claiming credit for victories and shifting blame for losses—a…
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The Williams Report
Budget Alabama: The Alabama Senate passed a $2 billion dollar general fund budget. The increase is due primarily to $51 million dollars of additional appropriations to the Department of…
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State Legislator of the Week: Indiana State Representative Woody Burton
State Legislator of the Week: Indiana State Representative Woody Burton ALEC and FreedomWorks introduce the Legislator of the Week: Indiana State Representative Woody Burton. Representative Burton has been…
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Trump Administration Establishes Council on Crime Prevention and Reentry
The Trump administration has taken an extraordinary step to reduce both recidivism rates and crime rates. On March 7, 2018, President Trump established a Federal Interagency Council on Crime…
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Connecticut Continues to Seek Improvements to its Asset Forfeiture Process
Last year, Connecticut joined a growing list of states that have passed civil asset forfeiture laws to make it more difficult for government agencies to take property from its…
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State Legislator of the Week: Maryland State Delegate Kathy Szeliga
This week ALEC and FreedomWorks introduce the Legislator of the Week: Maryland State Delegate Kathy Szeliga. Elected in 2010 to the Maryland General Assembly, Kathy serves on several Committees…
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FCC Announces Wireless Broadband Federal Review and Approval Modernizations
Is it possible for government to spur infrastructure spending and growth without spending a dime? That is what the Federal Communications Commission plans to do, according to a proposal…
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Gov. Northam’s Inaugural Address: Light on Details but Open to Suggestions
Virginia’s newly elected Governor Ralph Northam delivered his inaugural address on January 13th. Despite the governor’s history of supporting new and higher taxes, the governor…
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2018 is Also the Year of the States
It is a foregone conclusion among many pundits and media outlets that 2018 is the “year of the woman.” There is a significant uptick in the number of female candidates…
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At a Time When Global Democracy Is in Retreat Taiwan Offers Hope
Last month The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) released its 10th annual Democracy Index. The Index ranks 167 nations around the world on adherence to democratic norms using…
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Supreme Court Hearing Oral Arguments Regarding Public Sector Union Dues
The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in the case of Janus v. AFSCME, a case very similar to one that has already been heard by eight of the nine…
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Health Care and the Individual Insurance Market
Iowa once had a stable and affordable health insurance market. Premiums were low, consumers had several choices, and our uninsured rate was lower than the national average. We also had…
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Legislator of the Week: Representative Jason Saine
Rep. Jason Saine Leg of the Week This week, ALEC and FreedomWorks introduce North Carolina Representative Jason Saine. Representative Saine is the 2018 ALEC National Chair and is part…
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Governor Baker Highlights Tax-Hike Free Budget and Accomplishments
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker delivered his third State of the State address, highlighting the states’ successes and challenges over the past three years and his administration’s plans…
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Governor Hogan Aims to Reduce State Taxes in Response to Federal Tax Reform
Governor Larry Hogan delivered his fourth State of the State address at the end of January. The largely positive address condemned hyper-partisanship, highlighted the economic improvements that coincided with state…
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State Tax Cut Roundup 2017
The 2017 legislative session ended with nine states enacting changes to their tax codes sufficient to qualify for State Tax Cut Roundup. Each state provided substantial tax relief for their…